With partners and longtime friends Alijan Ibragimov and Alexander Machkevich (see both) built a metals and mining empire in Kazakhstan; in December Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation registered as a U.K. holding company in preparation for a public offering later this year. Reportedly forced to sell 25% stake in ENRC to fellow Kazakh billionaire Vladimir Kim after government demanded management changes. A native of Uzbekistan, Chodiev studied international law and Japanese, and lived in Japan before teaming up with his pals. Travelled to Kazakhstan when the group decided to pursue business interests there.